First Official Synopsis for Robert Zemeckis and Denzel Washington’s FLIGHT; Film Begins Shooting in October

Back in June, we were pretty sure that the live-action drama Flight was going to be Robert Zemeckis’ next film. We were also confident that Denzel Washington would star. Today, we have confirmation of both courtesy of a press release from Paramount. Per the release, Flight (written by Real Steel‘s John Gatins):

“…tells the redemption story of “Whip” (Washington), a commercial airline pilot who pulls off a heroic feat of flying in a damaged plane, saving 98 lives on a flight carrying 106 people. While the world begs to embrace him as a true American Hero, the everyman struggles with this label as he is forced to hold up to the scrutiny of an investigation that brings into question his behavior the night before the doomed flight.”

Like many, I’m a huge fan of much of Zemeckis’ previous work so I’m always excited for anything he puts his directorial stamp on. Moreover, I’m especially happy to see the filmmaker back in the live-action arena after nearly a decade removed from the format (2000’s Castaway was his last). Per the release, the film is slated to begin shooting in Atlanta this October which means a 2012 release is more than likely in sight. For a little more on Flight, read the full press release after the jump.

Here’s the official press release:

HOLLYWOOD, CA (September 9, 2011) – Paramount Pictures announced today that Academy Award ® winner Denzel Washington will star, and Academy Award ® winning director Robert Zemeckis will helm, FLIGHT for the studio. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald will produce under the Parkes/MacDonald production banner along with Zemeckis, Steve Starkey, and Jack Rapke under their ImageMovers banner. The movie is set to begin shooting this October in Atlanta, GA.

Written by John Gatins (“Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story,” “Real Steel”), FLIGHT tells the redemption story of “Whip” (Washington), a commercial airline pilot who pulls off a heroic feat of flying in a damaged plane, saving 98 lives on a flight carrying 106 people. While the world begs to embrace him as a true American Hero, the everyman struggles with this label as he is forced to hold up to the scrutiny of an investigation that brings into question his behavior the night before the doomed flight.

The project marks first ever teaming of Washington and Zemeckis, while also marking a return to live-action for the director, who previously helmed such hits as “Castaway,” “Forest Gump,” “Back To The Future,” and the live-action & animated classic “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”.

Zemeckis is repped by CAA, Washington is repped by WME and Gatins is repped by UTA.

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